Arctium is a genus of biennial plants commonly known as burdock, family Asteraceae. Native to the Old World, several species have been widely introduced worldwide. (Sourced from Wikipedia).
Burdock is a strong growing biennial and the fairly bitter but tender young foliage of the spring regrowth is eaten as a green vegetable. The taproots are used as a vegetable as well, and the flavour is between that of a parsnip and Jerusalem artichoke.
Burdock requires a moist humus rich soil and full sun, although it will tolerate some shade. It is also fully cold hardy and dies down in winter. Propagate from seed in spring or late autumn (fall). Thin seedling to 15 cm apart, and to ensure high quality, long straight roots, dig the soil to a depth of 60cm and incorporate compost before sowing.
Keep the soil moist and weed the crop regularly, particularly when the plants are young. Remove the flowers and burrs to promote root growth. For cooking collect young shoots and leaves in spring. Lift the roots in autumn when they are at least 30 cm long.
For cooking, scrape the young leaf stalks and cook them as you would celery. Use the roots raw as a salad vegetable or cook for stir fries as you would carrots.
information sourced from The Complete Book of Herbs
Never eaten it, actually haven’t ever seen it!
me either!
Burdock! I can’t tell you how long we’ve been looking for this at the markets! The Chinese and Japanese use the stalks to make soup, but they’re so difficult to find. It doesn’t help that I have no idea what they look like, and my mother, who sends me out on these quests, simply said, “oh, it looks a bit like a stick”. 🙂
well, at least now you can print the photograph! I have never come across this here 🙂
How interesting – this seems to grow wild around here and the locals call it “Woodland Artichoke” (or something similar). Now I know what to do with it. In England they make a drink called Dandelion and Burdock…very old fashioned and lovely!
Thank you for that information! Maybe I can get some Burdock seeds when we are in the UK next year?
Hmm, burdock – never heard of it.
🙂 Mandy
I hadn’t either!
Learned something new today!!
then my job is done for the day xxx
Ilearnedsomething new today.Now I want to try this! I hope you have a great day. Blessings…Mary
I am so glad to hear that! Wonderful Wednesday to you Mary 🙂
i enjoy and learn something
that is fantastic!